NEWS: Government publishes new report on improving the quality of adult social care

Posted on 20/07/2017

The Department of Health and the Care Quality Commission
have released a new report as part of the government’s drive to improve the quality
of adult social care, and to integrate health and social care services more
effectively.

The
Quality Matters initiative is co-led by partners from the adult social care
sector, and looks at the current priorities in achieving “high-quality, person-centred
adult social care”. The aim of the report is to highlight what high-quality
care should be and what the general public have the right to expect from social
care services in their area. It is also designed to help staff working within
the sector to understand the expectations of the care that they provide, and
for care providers to be able to develop their services to commit to this expected
high quality of care.

While this report does not entail any change in statutory
guidance or regulations, it brings together all current priorities and agreed
principles under one roof and forms a valuable insight into the changes that
are needed to achieve a high level of care for all adults who require it. Of
course, actions hold more weight than words and it’s important that the
information in this document is put to good use by care providers and their
staff, as well as social care bodies and local councils, to provide joined-up,
personalised care services.

Alongside the Quality Matters report, there is a detailed
action plan that looks at the priorities for achieving the project’s aims as
well as highlighting the key agencies, bodies, services and departments that
are key in delivering each point.

These action points include responding to and acting upon
feedback from service users, as well as being open and honest about services, especially
if something doesn’t go to plan. It also looks at guidelines around
commissioning services, and how to implement best practice to ensure that
services are delivered at a high standard. The report also looks at improving communication
and collaboration across services, and championing the importance of adult
social care and the difference that good social care can make to people’s
lives, in order to raise the profile of the sector and attract more people to
the industry.

This is an important report for both service users and care
workers, and one that is worth reading. We believe that personalised care is
key in improving adult social care services. Service users need to
be aware of what kind of care is available to them, and what kind of standards
they should be able to expect. Paid carers also need to be trained
in how they can deliver good service, whether working for a large provider or
as a self-employed sole trader.

Read the full report on the government website by following
these links: